Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
FIGURE 1: How Professional Documents Help Readers
what to
DO
what to
KNOW
how-to
DO
In professional settings, documents typically have three roles, based on what the
reader expects or needs:
 To make a decision or choose between alternatives -- DO as in choose;
 To learn background material to keep current in field -- KNOW; or
 To be supported in tasks, operations, or procedures -- how-to-DO.
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
These three user “scenes” can be looked at in the document roles in Figure 1. Each
circle represents a broad class – or genre – of documents. The three document broad
genres are:
 Documents that support readers in WHAT TO DO
 Documents that support readers in WHAT TO KNOW
 Documents that support readers in HOW TO DO (a task, etc.)
Many documents support readers in more than one way. (See the “Venn”
overlapping areas between the three documents? These spaces
what to
DO
what to
KNOW
how-to
DO
represent documents that support readers in more than one way.)
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
However, let’s tease these genre classes apart for the discussion. Here are some
examples of specific documents typical of the PWP classroom.
to DO
• INSTRUCTIONS
to KNOW
• a definition or
description paper
• an analysis
To
CHOOISE
• PROPOSAL
Figure 2: Some Professional Documents Considered by FUNCTION (to DO, to KNOW, and to CHOOSE)
In Figure 2, I use capitalization on INSTRUCTIONS and PROPOSAL, as these are clear
genres or document types by function and are typical final project genres in the
PWP classroom. Under “to KNOW,” I include short assignments often used in the
PWP classroom that either stand alone or sometimes build to a final project. Final
project documents in the “to KNOW” category could take a number of genre or
document types:
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
Backgrounder
Issue brief
Literature review
Problem description
Informational memo
Book or article review
Product specifications, etc.
For the moment, let’s look at the shorter assignment categories of definition and
analysis. These “to KNOW” documents fit nicely with stasis theory, particularly the
definition stasis and the evaluation or quality stasis:
Definition: what are we talking about?
Analysis: extending the definition by evaluation.
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
INSTRUCTIONS
PROPOSAL
Definition
Analysis
Figure 3: Looking at the Categories and Overlap of Types of Professional Documents
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
Linking Function to Type of Document:
The “how to do” document category is easily named INSTRUCTIONS. Variations on
this document type include manuals, extended instructions, workplace procedures
documentation, and the like.
The “what to do” document category is easily named PROPOSAL. This assignment
type is a classic final project in PWP classes. Other names or variations include
marketing proposal, business plan, venture capital pitch, grant proposal, problemrecommended solution, recommendation report, and the like.
The “what to know” document category defies easy description. I included two
steps toward final project that cover many bodies of “need to know” information:
definition (description, too) and analysis/evaluation. Furthermore, many of us
teach specific definition and analysis techniques in our classes.
Note: Exigence is helpful in limiting the volume, detail, and type of “needed
information.” Strong rhetorical analysis is an essential condition of selecting a
document type. The focus should be on WHAT will the reader use the document for?
 To do
o How to do?
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
o What to do?
 To know
Figure 4: What are Some Indentifying Characteristics of these Document Categories?
Figure 4 attempts to indentify the goals or content or intent of these three broad
classes or genres of document types.
 PROPOSALS must argue FOR something; evidence and refutation are typical
options.
 INSTRUCTIONS begin with setting descriptions (tools, equipment, conditions)
and then order a process, often in command form.
 Definitions and Analysis support readers with needed knowledge.
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
tell users what to do
• proposal, problem-solution memo, research proposal,
request for funding, marketing plan, scope of work,
position paper, policy brief, tasking memo
tell users how to do something
• instructions, SOP, manual, guide, how-to
tell users "important stuff" to know
• description, process analysis, technical report, failure
analysis, product description, medical diagnosis
Figure 5. Summary Figure about Document Types and Function for the PWP Classroom
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
For the Classroom: Tips and Strategies
1) Early in semester and as needed: discussion of genres and document types in the
professions. Document types that cut across all PWP classes include:
 memos
o tasking
o informative
 letters
 procedures
 proposals
2) Genre is everywhere! Ask students to think about the genres they are familiar
with. You can begin with musical genres:
 Dixieland jazz v. progressive jazz
 hip hop v. go go
 classic rock v. grunge
 emo v. screamo (Let them tell you )
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
Next, help them understand the genre breakdown of newspapers and news-sites:
 news items/article
 analysis
 opinion
 editorial
 blogs
 letters
 reviews (art, books, theater, products, etc.)
 “advert-icals”
 “charticles”
3) Ask them about the genres they are familiar with: high school and college
literature courses , their writing in school now that is not literature-based, and on
the job now.
a) novels, plays, poems, essays (five-paragraph, ECR) short answers (oneparagraph, BCR), reviews…
b) laboratory reports, reading journals, short essays, college papers (essay,
literature review, position paper, research article, etc.)…
c) memos, letters, instructions, report, email….
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA
4) Think about particular genres or document types in your course area; develop
lessons and class discussion about these document types. Not all professional
document types are appropriate for short or final assignments. Here are some
professional document types by profession.
Business: marketing analysis, business plan, SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
analysis…
Arts: Annotation of portfolio, artist statement, curation/exhibit text, artist’s statement, review, grant
proposal….
Engineering: technical memo, problem-solution proposal, materials analysis, failure analysis…
Science: literature review, research article, research letter, expert testimony. . .
Manufacturing: GMP specs (good manufacturing process)…
Criminal justice: daily briefing memo, threat analysis report, scenario documents…
Environment: Environmental impact statement, cradle-to-grave assessment, policy summary, amicus
brief…
Law: briefs, IRAC forms (issue, rule or relevant law, application, conclusion)…
Non profit: memorandum of understanding, grant proposal…
Discussion Document for Genre/Document Types Workshops
Spring 2011 SHEA